Undisputed kings of Viking heavy metal, AMON AMARTH, have dropped their brand new single, “The Great Heathen Army” today. The new song is the title track from their recently announced twelfth studio album and is accompanied by brand new music video directed by Pavel Trebukhin and shot in Riga, Latvia. The album is scheduled to be released on Friday, August 5th, 2022 via Metal Blade Records. Watch the video below
Pre-orders available now HERE with the first 1000 orders at the band’s European Victorious Merch store receiving a free signed poster. Pre-orders feature a host of exclusive vinyl variants and must-have merch items for any self-respecting AMON AMARTH fan.
Speaking on the announcement of their new album, AMON AMARTH share: “The armada of the Great Heathen Army is at sea on the way to raid, but before we land at distant shores on August 5th we have a new single and video for you to feast on. This is the title track from the new album with a video we shot with the talented Pavel Trebukhin in Riga, Latvia. Who will you choose to fight with? The Vikings or the Saxons? Choose well and the Gods will decide your fate.”
Recorded with esteemed studio guru Andy Sneap at the controls, “The Great Heathen Army” represents another bold leap forward for AMON AMARTH, as their trademark sound undergoes yet another skillful, evolutionary overhaul, both lyrically and musically. From the noisily rabble-rousing “Find A Way Or Make One” and the pummeling, pugilistic “Get In The Ring” to the evocative fury of “Saxons & Vikings” and the cinematic squall of the title track, “The Great Heathen Army” encapsulates the essence of this legendary band, while still allowing acres of space for new ideas.
AMON AMARTH vocalist Johan Hegg comments: “Overall ‘The Great Heathen Army’ is one of the heavier albums we’ve made. There are some dark and heavy songs that are really powerful and in your face, but we obviously have some trademark melodic AMON AMARTH songs on there as well and a few surprises too. It’s a really well-balanced album. It sounds great. Andy Sneap is awesome. It was great to be able to work with him again.”
Guitarist Olavi Mikkonen adds: “We’ve been away making new music and we’re back with new darker, more death metal-sounding album. If ‘Berserker’ was our ‘heavy metal’ album, then ‘The Great Heathen Army’ is our ‘death metal’ album. But with that said, it’s still very much contemporary AMON AMARTH, but perhaps style-wise we have gone back to our roots a little bit.”
“The Great Heathen Army” track listing:
1. Get In The Ring
2. The Great Heathen Army
3. Heidrun
4. Oden Owns You All
5. Find A Way Or Make One
6. Dawn Of Norsemen
7. Saxons And Vikings
8. Skagul Rides With Me
9. The Serpent’s Trail
This past February, AMON AMARTH released a standalone single, “Put Your Back Into The Oar”, an ode to the epic Viking row. The track was recorded and mixed in January 2021 at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden with producer Jens Bogren and was made available via the band’s own label Victorious Music.
The “Put Your Back Into The Oar” video was shot in England over three days in October 2021. The atmospheric, cinematic clip was produced by Twin V and directed by Ryan MackFall at Crashburn Media.
AMON AMARTH will team up with MACHINE HEAD for the “Vikings And Lionhearts” co-headlining European arena tour in September and October.
